haarlemsdagbladApr 11, 2026, 03:15

Broken toaster? That will cost you five grand. Scammers of elderly Haarlem couple exposed by Ombudsteam

An elderly couple in Haarlem was defrauded of 5,000 euros by scammers after searching for a repairman online to fix a short circuit. The fraudsters, who appeared at the top of Google search results with fake reviews, were exposed by an Ombudsman Team. Authorities warn the public to be cautious when hiring services through search engines to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

Lifestyle Haarlem Netherlands

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Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Number of children in welfare families in Haarlem increases for the first time since 2021

The number of children living in families dependent on social assistance in Haarlem increased to 2,220 last year, marking the first rise since 2021. Research highlights that these children face a significantly higher risk of experiencing long-term unemployment and financial instability in their adult lives.

Solve the Haarlem Murdoku with a Halloween twist: who committed murder in the church?

To celebrate Halloween, a fictional murder mystery puzzle called a Murdoku has been set in the St. Bavo Church in Haarlem. Players must use logical clues to place various horror film characters on a grid to identify that Pennywise is the culprit behind the death of Marion Crane.

Don't get angry! Here's what's happening during National Games Week in Haarlem

Haarlem is hosting the National Board Game Week from October 26 to November 1 to encourage social interaction through tabletop games. Residents of all skill levels are invited to participate in various activities at locations like the Teylers Museum and the youth center @ease.

Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other

Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spaces at locations like the Haarlem train station, he encourages people to overcome social hesitation through simple steps like greeting and complimenting strangers.

Firefighters rescue cat from under car hood in Haarlem

Emergency responders in Haarlem successfully rescued a cat that became trapped inside a car engine on Wednesday morning. After initial efforts to free the animal failed, the fire department was called to assist in the delicate operation.